Under the Battery Box...

[mdsalemi]

The Bosch electronic module for transistorized ignitions of later 113's is fit "under the battery box".  My Crane module was installed there as well.

In some recent work in sorting this out I was told to ensure that it--the box--is grounded properly and firmly attached.  As best as I can see, it isn't and it isn't.

The question is--I can BARELY see under this box, and only from an obtuse angle under the car.  I tried to get my hand in there, no can do.

Am I missing something here?  How do you access or mount something under the battery box?  I can't see an obvious way to do it, perhaps someone here HAS done it?



Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[jeffc280sl]

First the battery needs to be removed.  The battery sits on a plate which is also removeable.  My Crane unit replaced the original transistor ignition and is secured to the underside of this plate.  It's easier to remove the battery if you first disconnect the top oil cooler line.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by jeffc280sl

First the battery needs to be removed.  The battery sits on a plate which is also removeable.  My Crane unit replaced the original transistor ignition and is secured to the underside of this plate.  It's easier to remove the battery if you first disconnect the top oil cooler line.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

...aHA!  And that appears to be the trick...I'll try it tomorrow.  And one time I tried to remove the battery and it couldn't be done w/o removing that cooler line, so I'll do that as well.  And yes, I know to double wrench it.

Thanks Jeff.


Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[rwmastel]

Can the battery be removed without removing the hood?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[J. Huber]

Hey Rodd. Mine can. It is kind of awkward to lift it out because of the angle (and my aging back!) but it clears everything... Always hold onto it tight.

James
63 230SL

[bpossel]

Hi Mike,

It's a back breaker, but you need to remove the battery 1st.  I dont need to remove the hood to remove the battery.  Just need to lift battery slightly up, then angle it towards the rear of the car and slide it out.  I think as I slide it out, I have my elbows sort of resting on the fender.  Overall, somewhat of a "circus" maneuver.

With the battery out, you can then remove the battery tray.  Under the battery tray is another plate that is screwed in.  It's under this plate that the electronic ignition unit is attached.

With the Pertronix installed in mine, I have removed my entire electronic ignition unit (along with ballasts and coil) and have it labeled and stored so that a future owner can use it if they want to go back to the original setup.

Good Luck!
Bob




bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[Chad]

I removed the battery like Bob did last fall. It was the MB factory type (and from what I can tell didnt last that long), and I replaced it. No need to remove cooler line, definitely no need to remove the hood to remove the battery... that sort of maniacal situation only seems to happen on vintage English cars.

1967 230SL (Manual)

[hauser]

My Crane unit is installed under the battery.  A bracket was fabricated to hold the unit in place.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[waltklatt]

Yikes, I had the luxury of being splashed with battery acid.
Removing the battery is difficult as the distributor and fender lip both call for the acrobatic moves of the battery.  So I just tilt the battery to it's side and then lift out.
But for the diesel, the battery sits on the opposite side where the coolant reservior normally sits.
Walter Klatt
1967 220SL-diesel
1963 230SL-gas

[hands_aus]

The 230SLs and early 250SLs don't have the oil cooler besides the radiator.
Hence it is easier to remove the battery without too many contortions.

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[mdsalemi]

I removed the oil cooler line; quickly plugged the oil cooler with a rubber stopper, bagged the end of the hose.  Once that was done the battery lifted out with no issues what so ever.

Sure enough, provided easy access to the plate.  As suspected the Crane was just wire-tied to the harnesses feeding the headlamps--this is not recommended.  Crane wants a firm mount and grounded.

This will be done in the next few days as I fabricate the mounting.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored